DETROIT -- U.S. consumers bought cars and trucks at a booming 16.7 million annual pace in October, the high-water mark for light-vehicle sales so far this year.

Overall, U.S. car and truck sales rose 9.8% in October, as moderate gains at Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp., up 2% and 6%, respectively, were augmented by surging sales at Chrysler Corp. and several European and Asian companies.